Travis Dove for The New York Times

 The north deposit site on Coles Hill in Virginia's Pittsylvania County.

WASHINGTON — The National Academy of Sciences delivered a long-awaited report on uranium mining to the Virginia legislature on Monday, warning that the state faced “steep hurdles” for safely mining and processing the nuclear reactor fuel.

A highly anticipated National Academy of Sciences report on uranium mining concluded Monday that Virginia must overcome "steep hurdles" before it can assure that a rich deposit of the radioactive ore can be safely extracted and processed, as a mining company wants to do.

The 290-page report is expected to guide the 2012 General Assembly if it considers ending a 30-year ban on uranium mining. The report does not recommend whether the ban be lifted or remain in place, but makes clear the state must address a number of environmental and public safety issues before mining can occur.

The 302-page report says uranium could be mined, but the company would have to protect workers, the public and the environment in Virginia, which has no experience unearthing radioactive element.

Many in Richmond expected the study to provide conclusions supportive of lawmakers seeking to lift the ban, but the report instead struck more of a cautionary tone. It also outlined ways mining could be conducted in the state.

A National Academy of Sciences report on uranium mining in Virginia is scheduled to make its highly anticipated debut.

DANVILLE, Va. (AP) —

The Roanoke River Basin Association says the latest report on uranium mining in Virginia and other studies should be analyzed thoroughly over the next year before the state considers lifting a ban on mining the radioactive ore.

The association is reacting to a socioeconomic study released Thursday by RTI International. The study commissioned by the Danville Regional Foundation concludes that mining a 119-million-pound deposit in Southside Virginia comes with potential economic rewards and potential environmental risks.

While the association said Friday it had not thoroughly reviewed the latest report, it pointed to a section that stated detectable amounts of uranium would be released into the environment even if the mine and mill met regulatory standards.

Virginia has had a 30-year ban on uranium mining.

Virginia Uranium released a statement in response to Danville Regional Foundation's report.

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A legislative commission has scheduled a meeting for Monday to present a highly anticipated report on uranium mining that is expected to guide General Assembly debate on whether Virginia should end a 30-year ban on mining the radioactive ore.

The uranium sub-committee of the Virginia Commission on Coal and Energy on Tuesday scheduled the meeting with the chairman of the National Academy of Sciences panel that will present the report. It will not include a recommended course of action for legislators.

Paul A. Locke , the chairman of the study, is an environmental health scientist, an attorney and an associate professor at Johns Hopkins University. He will discuss the report with committee members and take questions.

The $1.4 million report was financed by Virginia Uranium Inc. , which wants to mine a 119-million-pound deposit in Pittsylvania County. It is believed to be the richest known uranium